Join Us in France Travel Podcast

Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin dig into the life of Alexandre Dumas Père — and it's a wild ride. His grandmother was a slave. His father was the French army's first non-white general. Napoleon destroyed that father, and Dumas never forgot it. He wrote over 100 novels, went broke twice, helped unify Italy, and ran the museums of Naples — including Pompeii. Oh, and he wrote a cookbook. Elyse brings the research, Annie brings the questions, and together they make French history genuinely fun. Hit play. And if you enjoy this, subscribe — a new episode drops every Sunday. Listen to the episode ad-free Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast: Alexandre Dumas Podcast supporters Magazine segment Meet Dumas A Larger Than Life Figure His Father the General Napoleon and Injustice Racism and Early Schooling Dreaming of Stories Paris and The Stage Fame Money and Excess Translations and Travels Serialized Novels Begin Collaborators and Style Breakout Novels Travel Writing Begins Debt and Coauthor Fight Theater Gamble and Backlash Exile Trips and Hugo Visit Garibaldi Adventure in Italy Return and Late Career Shift Stroke Death and Legacy Monumental Output Why Films Love Dumas Romance Action Style History Names Not Facts Panthéon Farewell Patreon Thanks and Perks France Heatwave Update Air Quality and Ozone Alerts France Air Conditioning Debate Heat Pumps and Home Comfort Environmental Concerns and Reality Travel Tips for Staying Cool Hydration and Best Travel Timing Cutting Emissions and Going Electric Newsletter and Next Episode Tease Next week on the podcast Final Thanks and Goodbye Copyright More episodes about French history #JoinUsInFrance, #FrancePodcast, #Francophile, #FranceTravelTips, #RealFrance, #AlexandreDumas, #FrenchLiterature, #ThreeMusketeers, #CountOfMonteCristo, #FrenchHistory, #HistoricalFiction, #ClassicLiterature, #FrenchCulture, #FranceTravel, #VisitFrance, #Paris, #LivingInFrance, #MovingToFrance, #TravelPodcast, #FrenchLife

Cas McIntyre has visited France seven times and speaks French well enough to land in real trouble, and real fun. She joins Annie Sargent to swap stories that go beyond postcard moments: two and a half days lost in the theatrics of the Puy du Fou theme park, a village potato ball where 400 plates got filled, and a thermal cure in Sète that ended with Cas dancing the Jerusalem at midnight. Travel isn't always smooth. A pickpocket hits Cas at a Paris turnstile, her handbag goes missing on a train in Strasbourg, and Annie admits to losing a camera on a tour bus. Press play for stories you won't find in a guidebook, then subscribe for next week's episode. Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast: Puy du Fou, Arles Bullfighting, and Getting Pickpocketed in Paris Support the podcast Magazine segment Welcome Cas McIntyre Why France Keeps Calling Speaking French on Trips Solo or With Friends Train Travel and Packing Traveling Heavy and Mailing Home Longer Stays and Corsica Where to Stay in France Puy du Fou Theme Park History Shows and Controversy Getting There and Language Tips Potato Ball Local Immersion Bring Your Own Cutlery Thermal Cure and Dancing Nights Meeting French Friends Reciprocal Hosting Friends Beachside Local Connections Pickpocketed in Paris Recovering Cards and Cash Phone Safety and Theft Tricks Travel Mistakes and Backup Plans French Food Favorites Favorite French Foods Finding Great Restaurants Things Not Enjoyed Power Banks and Phone Prep Arles Cocarde Festival Basque Village Spectacle Next Trip and Farewell Thank you Patrons The Louvre Heist 2025 Pollinarium in Paris Next week on the podcast Copyright More episodes about going off the beaten track in France #JoinUsInFrance, #FrancePodcast, #Francophile, #FranceTravelTips, #RealFrance, #VisitFrance, #ExploreFrance, #FrenchImmersion, #PuyDuFou, #FrenchCulture, #TravelStories, #SoloTravelFrance, #FrenchHistory, #TravelFrance, #FranceTrip, #LearnFrench, #TravelTales, #FranceVacation, #TravelMishaps, #AustraliansInFrance

Annie Sargent just got back from the Allier department, dead center of France, and almost nobody visits it. In this episode, she sits down with Elyse Rivin to talk about Vichy, Moulins and her trip. Annie shares what surprised her: a gorgeous Art Deco café, and a 19th-century mansion frozen in time for a hundred years and empty streets in Vichy in December. Elyse then digs into Vichy's real history, the Romans, hot springs, and a beautiful pottery called sigillée, long before it became famous for World War II. They also cover medieval villages, forests, and a local wine called Saint-Pourçain. Press play to discover a part of France you've probably never heard of. Subscribe to Join Us in France! Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast: Vichy's Story and the Best of the Allier Department Podcast supporters Welcome to Allier Why Allier Is Overlooked Vichy vs Moulins Moulins Culture Finds Guided Tour Frustrations Bourbonnais History Bits Maison Mantin Time Capsule Medieval Villages Stops Forests Valleys and Wine Winter Travel and EV Cold Settling and Getting Around Clermont Ferrand Detour Vichy WWII Shadow Beyond War Memories Romans And Hot Springs Sigillee Pottery Boom Medieval Lull And Renaming Sevigne Makes Vichy Chic Royal Spa Town Era Napoleons Build Modern Vichy World War One Hospitals Why Vichy In World War Two Liberation Without Destruction Postwar Identity And Industry Vichyssoise Not Vichyste Patron Thanks and Perks Free Patreon News Post Notre Dame Window Controversy Court Ruling and Petition Modern Stained Glass Favorites Spring Cleaning Update Newsletter and Credits Next Episode and Farewell Copyright More episodes about specific French departments #JoinUsInFrance, #FrancePodcast, #Francophile, #FranceTravelTips, #RealFrance, #VisitFrance, #ExploreFrance, #TravelFrance, #FranceRoadTrip, #HiddenFrance, #OffTheBeatenPath, #SecretFrance, #FranceHistory, #Vichy, #Allier, #Moulins, #Auvergne, #MassifCentral, #Bourbonnais, #ThermalSpa  

Annie Sargent chats with Bob Soltys, a black-and-white street photographer who has spent decades capturing Paris. Bob shares what gear to actually bring, why night photography beats daytime almost every time, and which Paris neighborhoods deliver the best shots. He also explains phone tricks most tourists never use and when to put the camera down entirely. In the magazine segment, Annie covers a new underground tunnel connecting Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est — and why it matters for your next Paris trip. Hit play. You'll come home with better photos. If you enjoy the show, subscribe so you never miss an episode.

This is episode 600 of Join Us in France — a milestone worth celebrating. Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin dig into the life of Coco Chanel. Born Gabrielle Chanel in rural poverty in the Corrèze, she clawed her way into Paris society and revolutionized the way women dress. She invented the little black dress, launched Chanel No. 5 — still the world's best-selling perfume 104 years later — and freed women from the corset. She also collaborated with the Nazis. That part is harder to ignore. Elyse tells the full story, unvarnished. Subscribe to Join Us in France and never miss an episode. Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast A look back after 600 episodes Meet Coco Chanel Chanel No 5 Legacy Fashion Revolution Tease Early Life Poverty Mythmaking Origins Learning to Sew Escape Marriage Constraints First Job and Hats Moulins and Coco Name Balsan and High Society Boy Capel Funds Paris Shop From Hats to Boutiques Building a Fashion Empire Love Lost and Independence Jersey Revolution Roaring Twenties Expansion Creating Chanel No 5 Perfume Profits and Power Tweeds Pearls and Black Dress Strikes Prejudice and War Collaboration and Espionage Exile and Return to Paris Legacy and Final Reflections Copyright More episodes about French history #JoinUsInFrance, #FrancePodcast, #Francophile, #FranceTravelTips, #RealFrance, #CocoChanel, #ChanelHistory, #FrenchHistory, #FrenchFashionHistory, #FrenchWomenHistory, #ParisFashion, #ChanelNo5, #FashionHistory, #FranceHistory, #VisitFrance, #TravelFrance, #FrenchCulture, #HistoryPodcast, #WomenInHistory, #BiographyPodcast

Antoine and Annie Ksadzhikyan bought an apartment in Nice, France, without ever seeing it in person. They did it from Los Angeles, over FaceTime, and they have zero regrets. Annie Sargent talks with them about finding the right neighborhood, making an offer in two hours, and securing a French mortgage as Americans — no small feat. You'll also hear what daily life looks like when you split your time between LA and the Côte d'Azur. In the magazine segment, Annie shares hard-won tips from a two-week road trip through France on making the most of your time as a visitor. Hit play. Then subscribe so you never miss an episode. Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast: Buying an Apartment in Nice Sight Unseen and Getting a French Mortgage as Americans Magazine segment Meet Antoine and Annie Why Nice Became the Dream Cold Emails to Agencies Pandemic Pause and Persistence Choosing Carré d'Or Location FaceTime Tours and The Offer Negotiating Terms and Acceptance Remote Closing and Loan Hunt France vs US Buying Process Notaire Power of Attorney Trusting a Sight Unseen Purchase Living Between Two Countries Why Nice Has Everything Finding Promenade du Paillon Why Nice Keeps Improving First Day Rituals in Nice Beach Clubs and Market Days Europe vs US Lifestyle Making Friends and Expat Groups Favorite Riviera Villages Driving North and Parking Tips Buying Property Paperwork French Loans Income and Age Booking Flights Without Hacks To Rent or Keep It Private Living Two Lives Abroad Patron Thanks And Perks Thank you, patrons Planning Around Closures Ideal Daily Touring Rhythm How Long To Stay Trustworthy Travel Advice Tickets Lines And Timing Time Estimates For Visits VoiceMap Tours And Future Plans Newsletter Credits And Episode 600 Next week on the podcast Copyright More episodes about moving to France  

Joan of Arc was not a shepherdess. She was a determined teenager who broke an arranged marriage, heard voices, and convinced a chain of noblemen to take her to the French king. Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin of Toulouse Guided Walks tell the full story. From her village in Lorraine to the battlefields at Orléans. From her betrayal to her execution at 19. And why there are now over 20,000 statues of her across France. Annie also covers the Paris Airbnb crackdown and shares her road trip itinerary through eastern France. Hit play. You won't look at those statues the same way again. And if you enjoy the show, subscribe so you never miss an episode.   Table of Contents for this Episode Intro Today on the podcast: The Joan of Arc Story Podcast supporters Magazine segment Joan of Arc Statues and Legacy How did Joan of Arc become so famous? France at War Myths About Her Childhood Voices and Vows Breaking the Engagement Path to the Dauphin Court Test and Conviction Armor and Army Plans Victory at Orléans Crowning at Reims War Not Over Yet King Wants Peace Final Victory Then Dismissal Joan Goes Rogue Captured And Sold Rouen Witchcraft Trial Condemned For Clothing Burned At The Stake Exoneration And Sainthood National Symbol Politics Legacy And Farewell Thank you, Patrons France Trip Services Paris Airbnb Crackdown Record Fine Explained New Law and Mayor Traveler Booking Tips Road Trip Itinerary Newsletter and Credits Next Episode Teaser Final Goodbye Copyright More episodes about French History

Craig Anderson road-tripped northern France after a week in Belgium. He loved it, and you will too. Annie and Craig talk Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Battle of Agincourt, and a spontaneous day trip to Amiens Cathedral. Craig breaks down why you need a car, where to base yourself, and how affordable this overlooked region really is. Listen to this episode ad-free Annie also covers the Paris vacant apartment crisis and what a new 2027 tax means for property owners. This episode will make you want to book a flight. Hit subscribe so you never miss Annie's weekly conversations about traveling France the right way. New episode every Sunday. Table of Contents for this Episode Intro Today on the podcast: Road Tripping in Northern France Podcast supporters Magazine segment Welcome Craig Anderson Why Belgium and north France Getting there and around First impressions and vibe Dunkirk and Calais Base in Boulogne Cliffs food and history When to visit and locals Costs and budgeting Top highlights and connections Amiens cathedral day trip Shorter itinerary options Summer return and outdoors Wrap up and next trip Thank you, patrons! Travel Itinerary Services Paris Vacant Homes New Vacancy Tax Plan Owners Push Back Airbnb Enforcement Second Homes Warning Host Personal Example Newsletter and Credits Next Week on the Podcast Copyright More episodes about French history

div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> Annie Sargent sits down with licensed tour guide Elyse Rivin to talk about Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc — the self-taught architect who left his mark on Notre-Dame, Carcassonne, and Saint-Sernin in Toulouse, among many others. Listen to this episode ad-free They dig into how he taught himself everything, refused the Beaux-Arts at 18, and still ended up reshaping France's most iconic medieval landmarks. They talk about what he invented, what got torn down, and what his real legacy turned out to be. Annie also covers the newly renovated Paris Catacombs in the magazine segment. This is a fun one. Hit play — you'll never look at a French cathedral the same way again. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast Podcast supporters Magazine segment Meet Viollet-le-Duc Fame and Big Restorations What Restoration Means Palace Childhood and Talent Rejecting Beaux-Arts Rebel Spirit and Revolution France Sketching Tour Gothic Theory and Nature Mérimée Patron and Teaching Early Travels and Appointments First Major Restorations Restoration as Reinvention Reinventing Restoration Gothic Forms New Materials Notre Dame Afterlife Invented Icons Explained Chimera And Critiques Saint Sernin Controversy Carcassonne Mega Project Commune Exile Switzerland Legacy Quote and Influence Final Thoughts Farewell Thank you Patrons Travel Help And Tours Catacombs Reopen And Renovation New Features And Visiting Tips Nearby Sights In Montparnasse Seizing The Day In Spain Upcoming Trips Newsletter Credits Next week on the podcast Copyright More episodes about French history